NHL Snipershttp://www.nhlsnipers.com
NHL Snipers delivers top hockey news to the hockey world! NHL Snipers follows the NHL and its star players such as Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin!Tue, 12 May 2015 19:37:32 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.6The Remaining Stanley Cup Contendershttp://www.nhlsnipers.com/the-remaining-stanley-cup-contenders/
http://www.nhlsnipers.com/the-remaining-stanley-cup-contenders/#commentsTue, 12 May 2015 19:37:32 +0000http://www.nhlsnipers.com/?p=27789A total of six NHL sides remain in contention for this season’s Stanley Cup, and it’s still wide open as far as the bookmakers are concerned. The Chicago Blackhawks have been put in as the 11/5 favourites by the odds compilers at Betfair, and with this side’s recent results, it isn’t hard to see why that is the case. Chicago have managed to reach the conference final in five of the last seven seasons, and are one of the most consistent sides in the NHL. Founded in 1926, the Blackhawks compete in the Central Division of the Western Conference and the team have won a total of five Stanley Cup championships in their history. One of the sides that were known as the ‘Original Six’ when the NHL began, Chicago won their last Stanley Cup in the 2012–13 season, and definitely know exactly what it takes to win the biggest prize in ice hockey. This side will no doubt be a popular choice with punters to take major honours once again.

The Stanley Cup is the premier trophy when it comes to ice hockey, and is given to the team that wins the the National Hockey League playoff, following the Stanley Cup Finals coming to an end. First played for in 1893, the Stanley Cup is slightly unusual for the fact that a new trophy is not created each year, and the winning team actually keeps the cup until the time a new side is crowned as champion. The most successful team in the history of the competition are the Montreal Canadiens who have won the Stanley Cup a total of 24 times. They are also the last Canadian-based side to win the title following their victory in 1993. This season’s defending champions were the Los Angeles Kings, but they have been unable to make it to the latter stages of the tournament, and will have to wait until the following campaign for a chance to regain the crown.

Hot on the heels of the Chicago Blackhawks in the betfair.com Stanley Cup market are the Anaheim Ducks. Currently available at odds of 15/8 with this bookmaker, the Anaheim Ducks have a fantastic recent record as far as Division championships are concerned, with Bob Murray’s side having won three titles in succession. A relatively new franchise to the NHL, the Ducks were formed in 1993 by The Walt Disney Company and the team’s name was actually inspired by the Disney movie The Mighty Ducks. In the grand scheme of things, the Anaheim Ducks did not take long to win their very first Stanley Cup, that victory coming in the 2006–07 campaign. While this side have been unable to replicate that success in subsequent seasons, the Ducks form has generally been very solid, and they are likely to be a big player in the NHL for years to come.

As far as those at the other end of the market are concerned, the Washington Capitals can be supported at odds of 9/1 and it will be somewhat of an upset if the Capitals manage to win their first Stanley Cup this season. Founded in 1974, the Washington Capitals are members of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, and did reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998. The Capitals are certainly capable on their day, and this side took five Division championships in succession from 2007 to 2012. While it would be a long overdue success if the Washington Capitals could go all the way in the coming weeks, their 9/1 quote is arguably a little on the skinny side.

]]>http://www.nhlsnipers.com/the-remaining-stanley-cup-contenders/feed/0Fantasy Hockey: Who are the top goalies to play down the stretch?http://www.nhlsnipers.com/fantasy-hockey-who-are-the-top-goalies-to-play-down-the-stretch/
http://www.nhlsnipers.com/fantasy-hockey-who-are-the-top-goalies-to-play-down-the-stretch/#commentsMon, 16 Mar 2015 18:04:54 +0000http://www.nhlsnipers.com/?p=27786The most important part of the NHL season is coming up, and that means goaltending is going to be as important as ever. It is important for every team contending for the Stanley Cup to have a reliable option in net. Here are the 5 best goalies right now in the NHL for people to count on in fantasy hockey leagues and on their favorite teams.

Carey Price

With the league lead in wins, goals against average and save percentage, it is easy to see why he is considered to be the best goaltender in the NHL this year. The Montréal Canadiens feel like they have a legitimate shot to win the Stanley Cup for the 1st time in a while. He has been able to stay relatively healthy throughout the season, and he is been the most consistent performer in fantasy hockey leagues all year long.

Pekka Rinne

Want to know why the Nashville Predators are so intimidating with the playoffs coming up? Pekka Rinne has been in fine form the entire season. Even during his recent skid, it has had more to do with his lack of teammate help than him slipping.

Braden Holtby

Washington always seems to have the talent, but this season they have been able to receive some pretty outstanding play from their top goaltender. Holtby has been particularly hot since the All-Star break, and he could easily ride that streak the rest of the way to make this team very dangerous.

Brian Elliott

Injury issues have limited Elliott a little bit this year, but people in fantasy hockey leagues are really starting to count on him down the stretch for the St. Louis Blues. They are one of the best teams in the NHL this year, and a healthy Elliott puts them in a great position. He has moved up to 4th in the NHL in goals against average, and the best might still be to come.

Marc-Andre Fleury

With all due respect to goaltenders such as Devan Dubnyk and Corey Crawford, It is still hard to keep Fleury out of the top 5 when completely healthy. The 30-year-old might not be having a consistent year so far, but he certainly seems to be playing well enough to keep Pittsburgh in contention once again.

]]>http://www.nhlsnipers.com/fantasy-hockey-who-are-the-top-goalies-to-play-down-the-stretch/feed/0NHL Hall-of-Famer to Feature in New Documentaryhttp://www.nhlsnipers.com/nhl-hall-of-famer-to-feature-in-new-documentary/
http://www.nhlsnipers.com/nhl-hall-of-famer-to-feature-in-new-documentary/#commentsSat, 28 Feb 2015 04:08:33 +0000http://www.nhlsnipers.com/?p=27783
Sawchuck was born in Winnipeg in 1929, the third of five siblings. Tragedy was ...]]>Terry Sawchuck is fondly remembered as one of the NHL’s greatest ever goaltenders. Sadly, he is also remembered for the tragic circumstances that surrounded his death—yet little is told of his early days. One Winnipeg film-maker is set to change that.

Sawchuck was born in Winnipeg in 1929, the third of five siblings. Tragedy was to be a feature of his life from the start. Two of his brothers had died by the time Terry was only ten years old—the eldest, Mike, was a promising goaltender and a certain influence on his future career.

The young Sawchuck signed his first professional deal with the Detroit Red Wings, where he enjoyed two lengthy stints. His debut in the NHL came in 1950 and, alongside the Red Wings he also played for his childhood favourites Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers in a career spanning 21 years.

And what a career. Terry Sawchuck hauled in four Stanley Cups, four Vezina trophies and was an eleven-time All-Star. His record of 103 shutouts lasted until 2009, when Martin Brodeur equalled and eventually surpassed it (119).

It is hard to believe in the modern NHL world, where you can find here sold out tickets, that goaltenders would often face the puck unguarded. However, facemasks were not popularised until 1959 when Montreal Canadiens’ Jacques Plante wore one in a game against the New York Rangers.

Terry was a brave goaltender, he bore the scars of battle on his face and suffered several injuries on and off the ice. It wasn’t until the start of the 1962-63 season that began to wear a goaltender’s mask. He immediately felt that it gave him more confidence and it positively transformed his game.

His career lasted until 1970 when, by that time at the New York Rangers, he suffered yet more injuries. Sawchuck was staying in a rented house with teammate Ron Stewart. The pair got into a heated argument and began to fight, with Sawchuck falling badly. He was rushed to hospital for an operation on his gall bladder but the further internal injuries were so severe—and Sawchuck so weak—he never recovered.

One year after his tragic death, Terry was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Schur said of the project, “Terry Sawchuk, bar none, is the best hockey player that ever came from Winnipeg. General consens​us is he was the greatest goalie ever, and he came from here, and I think the Winnipeg story is forgotten, so I’m making a documentary about Terry Sawchuk’s Winnipeg years in particular.”

It ought to be a fascinating story to watch.

]]>http://www.nhlsnipers.com/nhl-hall-of-famer-to-feature-in-new-documentary/feed/0Sam Griffith flies through the air to score!http://www.nhlsnipers.com/sam-griffith-flies-through-the-air-to-score/
http://www.nhlsnipers.com/sam-griffith-flies-through-the-air-to-score/#commentsWed, 29 Oct 2014 16:32:35 +0000http://www.nhlsnipers.com/?p=27778
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]]>http://www.nhlsnipers.com/sam-griffith-flies-through-the-air-to-score/feed/0Connor McDavid is stylish!http://www.nhlsnipers.com/connor-mcdavid-is-stylish/
http://www.nhlsnipers.com/connor-mcdavid-is-stylish/#commentsTue, 07 Oct 2014 03:10:18 +0000http://www.nhlsnipers.com/?p=27774
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]]>http://www.nhlsnipers.com/connor-mcdavid-is-stylish/feed/0Hockey is back! – Nathan Walker Big Hip Check on Vaclav Karabacekhttp://www.nhlsnipers.com/hockey-is-back-nathan-walker-big-hip-check-on-vaclav-karabacek/
http://www.nhlsnipers.com/hockey-is-back-nathan-walker-big-hip-check-on-vaclav-karabacek/#commentsMon, 22 Sep 2014 13:57:02 +0000http://www.nhlsnipers.com/?p=27771
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]]>http://www.nhlsnipers.com/hockey-is-back-nathan-walker-big-hip-check-on-vaclav-karabacek/feed/0Jaromir Jagr wants to play in the NHL until he is 50!http://www.nhlsnipers.com/jaromir-jagr-wants-to-play-in-the-nhl-until-he-is-50/
http://www.nhlsnipers.com/jaromir-jagr-wants-to-play-in-the-nhl-until-he-is-50/#commentsSat, 20 Sep 2014 22:39:51 +0000http://www.nhlsnipers.com/?p=27763
Jaromir Jagr will celebrate his 43rd birthday during the 2014-15 NHL season, but that doesn’t mean the New Jersey Devils right wing is thinking of quitting the game anytime soon.
Jaromir has publicly stated he would like to play for the Montreal Canandiens before his career is over.Speaking of the Habs, they are Canada’s favorite to make ...]]>

Jaromir Jagr will celebrate his 43rd birthday during the 2014-15 NHL season, but that doesn’t mean the New Jersey Devils right wing is thinking of quitting the game anytime soon.

Jaromir has publicly stated he would like to play for the Montreal Canandiens before his career is over.Speaking of the Habs, they are Canada’s favorite to make a deep run this year. Sportsbettingcanadian.ca is the place to go to put a wager on your favorite team.

“I want to play until 50, maybe more,” Jagr told NorthJersey.com Thursday on the opening day of training camp.

Jagr had 24 goals and 67 points last season, his best numbers since returning to the NHL after three seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League. He surpassed 700 goals and finished the season with 1,755 points, tied with Steve Yzerman for sixth on the all-time list.

“I’m expecting to be a little bit better, but I’m going to have a tough 20 days before the season starts to just get where I want to be and go from there,” Jagr told NorthJersey.com before expounding on the reasons he thinks he could be even more productive.

“First of all, I don’t have to get comfortable with the system, with the players. I know most of them. Hopefully, I stay healthy during the training camp. I didn’t play one (preseason) game. I missed all of training camp last year. That would be a plus.”

Jagr has scored 59 goals and 156 points in 200 regular-season games for the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins and Devils since coming back to North America. He played in all 82 games for the Devils last season.

The Devils re-signed Jagr to a one-year contract during the offseason, something the Czech legend said he prefers because it forces him to continue to prove himself in spite of his Hall of Fame credentials. Still, just because Jagr is unsigned beyond this season doesn’t mean this will be his last hurrah.

“I don’t think that way,” Jagr told Tom Gulitti. “I love the game. What I want to tell you is I don’t know if it’s going to be the last year in the NHL. If I stay healthy, it’s not going to be my last year in hockey. I want to play until 50, maybe more. But I want to play in the NHL if I’m good enough. I don’t want to just be here just to be here.

“But the longer you play in the NHL, the better challenge you get for yourself. You’re facing the best players in the world. So if I’m good enough to play in this League, I want to do it. If I’m not, I’m going to play somewhere else. But you have to stay healthy and you have to stay motivated and you have to love the game. So that’s what I do. That’s what I love.”